Pump with basically reduced pumper force

ABSTRACT

In the interior of a pressurized container or an extension thereof a casing and a congruent plunger are opposingly positioned between two angularly disposed metal plates; a small motor drives the mechanism by interconnection of and a two-armed lever and push rods.

United States Patent 1191 Molnar 1451 July 24, 1913 PUMP WITH BASICALLY REDUCED 766,346 8/1904 Haynes et al. 417 400 PUMPER FORCE 3,423,131 [/1969 Weeks 417/400 X [76] Inventor: Steven I. Molnar, l43-l7-38th Ave., I

Apt 1C, Flushing N.Y. 11354 Primary Examiner-Carlton R. Croyle Assistant Examiner-Richard Sher Filed: 1971 Attorney--Arthur T. Fattibene 21 Appl. No.2 123,665

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 417/400, 222/385, 417/902 51 111:. CI. F04b 17 00, F04b 35/00 the Pressumed [58] Field of Search 417/400 s1on thereof a casmg and a congruent plunger are opposingly positioned between two angularly disposed metal plates; 21 small motor drives the mechanism by [56] References Cited interconnection of and a two-armed lever and push UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,153,773 4/1939 Patrignani 417/902 X 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures I 26 I2 3 F 23 I 27 2a\ 24 22 X1 1/ v 0 'q 1111/1/12 m\\\\\ v I 4" 4. a

Q. 1" ll ,4 6 .{l-I /l/l/l/I/Il/A y lo Patented July 24, 1973 3,748,064

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented July 24, 1973 3,748,064

2 Sheets-Sheet 2:

PUMP WITH BASICALLY REDUCED PUMPER FORCE THE PROBLEM OBJECTS This disclosure is directed to an equipment which is particularly adapted for use with boilers or other containers which are subjected to high temperatures and pressures. The arrangement is such that the force re quired to render the feed water or other working substance supply operable is substantially less than the force of the internal pressure present within the boiler or other container; thereby, the operating efficiency of the novel pumping apparatus and consequently of the performing unit is significantly increased.

Another feature of this invention resides'in the provision of a working substance supply apparatus which canbe easily fabricated, which is positive'in operation, easy to maintain; and is capable of supplying the required working substance in incremental amounts, as may be required.

The suggested device is applicable also when gaseous substances are conveyed from one region of lower pressure to one of higher pressure. However, the device is not suitable, when liquids are conveyed from a lower levelto a higher elevation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

, Except for a motor and a lever, the other parts of the mechanism operate in the interior of the container or an extension thereof.

A casing with its supply chamber and a plunger with a pocket, ,are in axial alignment in opposing relationship and are with'their outer ends slideably placed be- ;tweentwo, angularly positione'd heavy-gauge metal border plates. Upon transmission ofthe power of said motor to said casing and=plunger, they are forced to move periodically between protracted and retracted 'positive,*i.e., converging and diverging and in mutually reciprocating manner. between said angular border plates, generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. Y After filling up the casing and plunger with working substance and air supply portions respectively, during the converging phase of the operation no thermodynamical resistance curbs the free advancement of the creasing volumeof the supply chamber. This proceeding takes place without confrontation of the high container pressure and of the normal external pressure.

Said gainful circumstance is the consequence of the.

separating and shielding effect of the intermediately employed rigid, pressure resisting border plates. This structure, in essence, secures such operation for the casing, supply chamber and plunger, as if the movement occured in the free air. Thus, retraction of the supply mechanism requires very small quantity of energy. However, during the convering phase an increase of the supply chamber volume causes a pressure increase of the gaseous contents of the container. Relative to this change, the favorable rules of the Boyls Law are in effect, i.e. If the temperature of a confined gas is kept constant, its volume will vary inversely as its pressure This rule is also reversely valid. It is apparent, that the pressure increase of the container I is small, being inversely proportional to the volume decrease of the gaseous contents of the container, which takes place on account of the expansion of the combined volume of the casing and plunger, giving room to the enlarging supply chamber. To over come said small pressure increase requires only a small effort, as it does the whole diverging phase. Pertaining details are described hereinafter. Y

The above described innovations of the suggested device economize greater part of the presently 'used pumper forces. 7

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent, when considered in view of the drawings and specifications in which:

FIG. 1 illustratesa longitudinal sectional and parly elevated view of the apparatus, with its supply chamber and plunger in filling position.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through the apparatus along line A B of FIG. 1, with addition of the view of a driving motor.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another form of the tion,

- place, the composition of a novel delivery-method of working substance supply portions in the interior of the container 2.

For simplicity, the suggested apparatus is shown in horizontal positionj however, it may be set up and operated likewise inupright position. It might be placed also in separate drum, outside the main container, provided that full and free communication exists between two said spaces. The suggested equipment might be built also in comparatively very small size, handled by hand,

as a simplified, separated unit, connected to the main container by a pipe.

In case of a high pressure boiler and when the feed water is accumulated, the position of the apparatus or of the pump-drum is preferably below the water level of the main container, for thermodynamical reaons.

In order to save floor space, a horizontal recess, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the equipment might be formed adjacent to the periphery of the container 1 to accomodate the motor 29, lever 30 or other external parts of the suggested apparatus.

Describing the details of the device, two angularly positioned, rigidly mounted heavy metal plates 4 serve inside the container as border to the equipment and are attached to the container walls 1 and to the apparatus base 5 by suitable fastening 6. Said two border plates 4 are provided with longitudinal rails 7 having grooves 8 in order to direct the longitudinal movement of the end portions 10 of the casing 9 and plunger 14 A casing enclosing a supply chamber 11 and a plunger 14 enclosing a pocket 15 are slideably mounted between saidangular border plates 4 The casing 9 and plunger 14 are built in congruity. In order to secure stable movement of the plunger 14 in the casing chamber 1 1 the chamber is provided with longitudinal guiding extensions 13, the plunger comprises corresponding grooves 16 The plunger 14 is capable of occupying fully and precisely the supply chamber 11 of the casing 9 Both elements are obliquely cut away at their outer endmost section 10 corresponding to the surface of the border plates 4 The casing 9 and plunger 14 have at their outer ends 18 a somewhat spondingly shaped. By this arrangement, longitudinal movement of the casing 9 and plunger 14 ends 10 is "permitted, without losing the sealing effectiveness of said parts against the border plate surfaces 20 and directing rails 7 To facilitate said sliding movement, between the endmost plates 19 and directing rails 7 rolling-contact bearings 21 are applied, in the first place, on the inward side of the end-extensions 19 of the easing 9 and plunger 14 V The supply chamber casing 9 and the plunger 14 are positioned opposingly and in alignment between the border plates 4 Suitable scaling is provided between the supply chamber 11 and the plunger 14. The supply chamber 11 has a valve 23 for connection with the supply source valve 24 and has another valve 25 to the interior 2 of the container space. These automatic valves are quickly operating and have high delivery-capacity. For instance, when liquid is the supplied working substance, an adequate conventional constructional solution may be the application as a valve of two, on their broad-sides contiguously sliding screens with matching slots complementing and meshing each other, as is used with hydraulic equipments. Coincidence of said apertures makes possible quick drop of the liquid.

In the body of the plunger 14 a pocket 15 is formed to accomodate compressed air, that expands through the valve 26 into the supply chamber 11 when it discharges its delivered supply portion in the interior of the container or extension thereof. The compressed air is of about 40 psi pressure; this air portion is sufficient to avoid the building up ofa movement-hindering vacuum in the supply chamber 11 during the return of the casing 9 and plunger 14 into their filling position.

Motion of the suggested mechanism is originated in a comparatively very small external reciprocating motor 29 which actuates a two-armed lever 30 having its fulcrum 31 in the upper wall 33 of the container. In the interior of the container 2 or extension thereof the lever branches off laterally into three arms 32A. Between the lever arms 32A and push rods 34 of the casing and plunger 14 an intermediate frame 36 secures precisely coordinated operation of the casing 9 and plunger 14 The lever arms 32A, the intermediate frame 36 and push rods 34 are conntected by drive pins 37 which enter the slots 38 of embracing lever arms 32A that are moving in provided slots 39 of the apparatus base 5 The intermediate frame circumscribes the traversing, longitudinally and the same time laterally sliding pins 37 of the push rods 34 forcing thereby the rods 34 to protract and retract periodically, transmitting in this manner the motor-power to the casing 9 and plunger 14 forcing them to accomplish their combined movement. Short pipes 35 are fastened to the apparatus base 5 in order to keep in position and to guide the protracted and retracted push rods 34.

A variation of the energy transmission is describedin the preceding paragraph illustrating the nature of the system. Another form of driving of the mechanism might be also a gearing transmission as it is shown in FIG. 3, where the push rods 40, 41 to the casing 9 and plunger 14 are toothed and each of them is meshing with a driving gear 42, 43, 44, one ofthem 42 is driven by an alternately turning motor (not shown), transmitting said energy also to the other gears 43, 44 and thereby to the toothed rods 40, 41 Driving means might be also a conventional eccentric mechanism (not shown), actuated by an external motor connected suitably with the casing and plunger, set off center so that it can change circular motion into back-and-forth motion, effecting thereby protraction and retraction as well as reciprocation of the casing and plunger, similarly to the afore described push rod movements and other related actions. Besides the mentioned systems, also other similar driving arrangements are employable, without influencing the essence and merit of the invention. I

In operation, in the filling position the supply chamber 11 is exposed in communication with the inlet 22 communicating with the working substance supply source 3 At this moment the outlet valve 25 of the supply chamber and the valve 26 of the plunger pocket are closed; the inlet valve 24 of the supply source and the valve 23 of the supply chamber as well as the valves of the plunger inlet 28A and of the pocket 24 are open. When both spaces are filled up with working substance of air, all inlet valves 23, 24, 27, 28A close. Following the outlet valve of the supply chamber 25 opens. Then the reciprocating motor 29 actuates the lever arms 32A and through them the push rods which pull the casing 9 and plunger 14 toward the interior of the container 2 By this action the casing 9 and the plunger 14 slide with their outer end portions 10 along the border plates 4 keeping in aligned position by aid of the guiding rails 7 and grooves 8 resulting in their converging, telescopelike movement. The plunger gradually enters the supply chamber 11 and expells the supply portion into the interior 2 of the container of part thereof. When the supply chamber is entirely evacuated its outlet valve 25 closes, as all other valves of the apparatus are closed.

It is apparent, that accomplishment of the advancing or converging phase does not require large quantity of energy. Movement of the casing 9 and plunger 14 toward the interior of the container 2 and entering of the plunger 14 into the supply chamber 11 takes place in an area in which everywhere uniform pressure prevails, including the supply chamber 11. Inside the container or extension thereof, all parts of the mechanism are exposed to equalizing thermodynamic forces; thus, in principle, change of their position does not require more energy than would be necessitated in the free air. Merely friction, gravity and similar resistances, which exist also in the presently used pumping equipments, are to be overcome, but, without the generally very large repulsing thermodynamic forces.

At the beginning of the return movement to the periphery of the container or extension thereof, the valve 26 between the plunger pocket and supply chamber 11 opens and the mildly compressed air contents of the plunger pocket 15 expands also into the supply chamber 11 during the diverging phase of the process. In doing so, in said two spaces nearly normal pressure exists, a vacuum does not hinder their movement during the return to their filling position. Said diverging movement toward the container periphery 1 to reach the supply source 3 is actuated by reverse motor 29 action that results in creation of free space in the supply chamber 11 which thereby becomes able to receive a new working substance supply portion. After the casing and the plunger reach peats.

Duringlthc diverging phase, the generally very high thesupply source-3, the cycle recontainer pressure is not able to reach the supply chamber space since it is separated and shielded by pressure resisting, rigid casing walls 12 and by rigid border plates 4 from the mostly violent contents of the container interior. By this arrangement, the high container pressure iseluded and structurally cut off, conseference that its volume constantly changes, giving room for newsupply portions. Thus, noconfrontation takes place of the container pressure and of the normal out-- side pressure on the two sides of a freely swinging piston head or similar pump element, which fact results in significant energy saving, in comparison tothe pres ently used pumping equipments. 1

When the casing 9 and plunger diverge and withdraw from each other, their combined volume or, external surface increases, corresponding to the supply chamber 11 volume augmentation. This enlargement forces to shrink the gaseous contents accordingly. Consequently, the general pressure of the container increases correspondingly. Concerning said pressure change the Boyls Law is valid that says If the temperature ofa confined gas is kept constant, its volume will vary inversely as its pressure In other words, the pressure is inversely proportional to the volume of the gas or vapor. In a pressurized container the liquid is incompressible; thus,.any volume change in the containers contents effects solely the volume of the gaseous part of thecontents and tends to change the pressure of the vapor or gas. Since one portion of the delivered working substance represents only a little fraction, generally less than 1 percent, of the whole gaseous contents volume of the container, the pressure increase is also a little fraction, generally less than 1 percent, of the pressure existing in the interior of the container. This circumstance is in accordance with the essence of the hereinbefore cited Boyls Law. It is inferab le, that only a little energy quantity is required from the adjacent motor to overcome the developing small pressure-increase of the gaseous container contents. However, even the application of said small energy quantity might be not necessary. Namely, the aforesaid contraction of the vapor or gas contents and the possible increase of its pressure is balanced continuously by the fact, that a certain vapor and energy quantity, equal to the lately delivered working substance supply portion, simultaneously and constantly leaves the container space, in order to take part in the performance of the adjacent prime mover or radiator or similar establishments. In this manner, the energy requirement from the connected motor is very little also during the returning or diverging operation phase.

During the above described diverging and converging phases of the operation, the device apparently is capable to contribute to'economize several percent of the energy that is produced by the adjacent prime mover, radiator or similar pressurized equipments.

While this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiment thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. For use with a pressure vessel containing a fluid under pressure,

means defining a source of fluid medium adapted to be supplied to the interior of the pressure vessel, said source-being subjected to a pressure which is less than the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel, v I g a pumping means for transfering the fluid medium 7 from said supply sourceto said pressure vessel,

said pumping means including: i

means defining a fluid supply chamberdisposed within said pressure vessel,

a complementary plunger disposed within said pressure vessel,

means for mounting said supply chamber and plunger for relative movement between a fluid: feed position and a fluid discharge position,

said supplychamber having an inlet and an outlet,

said inlet being disposedin open communication with said supply source in the fluid feed position whereby said supply fluid isdirected into said supply chamber, and said inlet being closed in the discharge position of said supply chamber,

and said outlet being in open communication with theinterior of the pressure vessel in the discharge position and closed in the feed position,

said plunger having a pocket formed therein,

said pocket having an inlet valve and an outlet valve,

said inlet valve adapted to connect said pocket to a source of air, and

said outlet valve adapted to place said pocket in com- I munication with said supply chamber, and a drive .means connected to said plunger and fluid supply chamber for effecting the relative 3,748,064 7 8 movement thereof between said feed position and mounting means for said supply chamber and plunger discharge position. comprise: 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a motor disposed exteriorly of the pressure vessel,

oppositely disposed plates that are inclined relative to one another to define a converging-diverging and transmission means interposed between said motor and said plunger and complementary supply and rail formed on said plates for guiding said supply chamber whereby the motion of said motor is chamber and plunger during the relative movement transformed into relative reciprocal movement bethereof between a ffied Position a discharge P tween said chamber and associated plunger. 10 tion.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said 

1. For use with a pressure vessel containing a fluid under pressure, means defining a source of fluid medium adapted to be supplied to the interior of the pressure vessel, said source being subjected to a pressure which is less than the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel, a pumping means for transfering the fluid medium from said supply source to said pressure vessel, said pumping means including: means defining a fluid supply chamber disposed within said pressure vessel, a complementary plunger disposed wIthin said pressure vessel, means for mounting said supply chamber and plunger for relative movement between a fluid feed position and a fluid discharge position, said supply chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being disposed in open communication with said supply source in the fluid feed position whereby said supply fluid is directed into said supply chamber, and said inlet being closed in the discharge position of said supply chamber, and said outlet being in open communication with the interior of the pressure vessel in the discharge position and closed in the feed position, said plunger having a pocket formed therein, said pocket having an inlet valve and an outlet valve, said inlet valve adapted to connect said pocket to a source of air, and said outlet valve adapted to place said pocket in communication with said supply chamber, and a drive means connected to said plunger and fluid supply chamber for effecting the relative movement thereof between said feed position and discharge position.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a motor disposed exteriorly of the pressure vessel, and transmission means interposed between said motor and said plunger and complementary supply chamber whereby the motion of said motor is transformed into relative reciprocal movement between said chamber and associated plunger.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means for said supply chamber and plunger comprise: oppositely disposed plates that are inclined relative to one another to define a converging-diverging path, and rail formed on said plates for guiding said supply chamber and plunger during the relative movement thereof between a feed position and discharge position. 